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New York Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist To Visit Eye Specialist, Status Uncertain

By Ryan Ritchie

Apr 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) is attended to by defenseman Dan Girardi (5) after suffering an apparent injury against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in game one of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) is attended to by defenseman Dan Girardi (5) after suffering an apparent injury against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in game one of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist Was Injured in the First Period of Game 1 After Taking Accidental Stick From Teammate Marc Staal, Will Visit Eye Specialist

New York Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist joins the long-list of Stanley Cup contending goaltenders who are injured, joining New York Islanders Jaroslav Halak, and Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray.

He was injured in the first period of game one against Pittsburgh on Wednesday night after a freak accident saw teammate Marc Staal‘s stick catch Henrik Lundqvist underneath the mask.

Several other teams had question marks in the crease heading into the postseason, but Corey Crawford, Jake Allen, and Michal Neuvirth all managed to return at the end of the regular season. 

More from New York Rangers

The status of New York Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist is uncertain for game two on Saturday, forcing the recall of AHL Hartford Wolf Pack G Magnus Hellberg. Coach Alain Vigneault also stated that King Henrik must practice on Friday if he’s going to play in game two. If he’s unable to go, Antti Raanta steps up as starter in his absence.

Raanta stopped 16 of 19 shots on Wednesday night over 40 minutes en route to a 5-2 loss to backup Jeff Zatkoff and the surging Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Reason for Hope in New York

Social media and the hockey world are buzzing following the devastating loss of New York Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist. Many opinions are of the doom and gloom nature, already writing the NYR off after Raanta’s sub-par performance in relief.

Give the 26-year-old a break folks. It took 63 NHL appearances between Chicago and New York over a three-year stretch before finally seeing postseason action. It’s not as though he had time to prepare mentally for the game.

He’s sitting behind King Henrik, therefore Raanta knows an injury or shelling is the only way he sees time in the crease this spring. He steps in after the first period and is expected to raise his playoff intensity with no experience and no preparation. He won’t make that mistake again on Saturday.

Antti Raanta has made 52 career starts since 2013-14. He is 31-15-7 with a 2.36 goals-against-average and .914 save percentage, including four career shutouts.

Next: Penguins vs. Rangers Round 1 Preview

The New York Rangers need not worry about the man between the pipes. This is the reason Antti Raanta was acquired last offseason – to carry the load if the worst should happen with an injury to King Henrik. Instead of being concerned with goaltending question marks, fans should be wondering where the offense will come from. Lack of goals scored will be their Achilles heal against a powerhouse Penguins offense.

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